"If every 8 year old in the world is taught meditation, we will eliminate violence from the world within one generation." ---Dalai Lama

The book "The Four Agreements" by Don Miguel Ruiz

1. Be Impeccable With Your Word


Speak with integrity. Say only what you mean. Avoid using the word to speak against yourself or to gossip about others. Use the power of your word in the direction of truth and love. 




2. Don't Take Anything Personally


Nothing others do is because of you. What others say and do is a projection of their own reality, their own dream. When you are immune to the opinions and actions of others, you won't be the victim of needless suffering. 




3. Don't Make Assumptions


Find the courage to ask questions and to express what you really want. Communicate with others as clearly as you can to avoid misunderstandings, sadness and drama. With just this one agreement, you can completely transform your life. 




4. Always Do Your Best


Your best is going to change from moment to moment; it will be different when you are healthy as opposed to sick. Under any circumstance, simply do your best, and you will avoid self-judgment, self-abuse and regret.” 


~ Miguel Ruiz

THE GIVING TREE by Shel Silverstein

THE GIVING TREE -

Once there was a tree....
and she loved a little boy.
And everyday the boy would come
and he would gather her leaves
and make them into crowns
and play king of the forest.

He would climb up her trunk
and swing from her branches
and eat apples.
And they would play hide-and-go-seek.
And when he was tired,
he would sleep in her shade.

And the boy loved the tree....
very much.
And the tree was happy.
But time went by.
And the boy grew older.
And the tree was often alone.

Then one day the boy came to the tree
and the tree said, "Come, Boy, come and
climb up my trunk and swing from my
branches and eat apples and play in my
shade and be happy."
"I am too big to climb and play" said
the boy.
"I want to buy things and have fun.
I want some money?"
"I'm sorry," said the tree, "but I
have no money.
I have only leaves and apples.
Take my apples, Boy, and sell them in
the city. Then you will have money and
you will be happy."
And so the boy climbed up the
tree and gathered her apples
and carried them away.
And the tree was happy.

But the boy stayed away for a long time....
and the tree was sad.
And then one day the boy came back
and the tree shook with joy
and she said, "Come, Boy, climb up my trunk
and swing from my branches and be happy."
"I am too busy to climb trees," said the boy.
"I want a house to keep me warm," he said.
"I want a wife and I want children,
and so I need a house.
Can you give me a house ?"
" I have no house," said the tree.
"The forest is my house,
but you may cut off
my branches and build a
house. Then you will be happy."

And so the boy cut off her branches
and carried them away
to build his house.
And the tree was happy.
But the boy stayed away for a long time.
And when he came back,
the tree was so happy
she could hardly speak.
"Come, Boy," she whispered,
"come and play."
"I am too old and sad to play,"
said the boy.
"I want a boat that will
take me far away from here.
Can you give me a boat?"
"Cut down my trunk
and make a boat," said the tree.
"Then you can sail away...
and be happy."
And so the boy cut down her trunk
and made a boat and sailed away.
And the tree was happy
... but not really.

And after a long time
the boy came back again.
"I am sorry, Boy,"
said the tree," but I have nothing
left to give you -
My apples are gone."
"My teeth are too weak
for apples," said the boy.
"My branches are gone,"
said the tree. " You
cannot swing on them - "
"I am too old to swing
on branches," said the boy.
"My trunk is gone, " said the tree.
"You cannot climb - "
"I am too tired to climb" said the boy.
"I am sorry," sighed the tree.
"I wish that I could give you something....
but I have nothing left.
I am just an old stump.
I am sorry...."

"I don't need very much now," said the boy.
"just a quiet place to sit and rest.
I am very tired."
"Well," said the tree, straightening
herself up as much as she could,
"well, an old stump is good for sitting and resting
Come, Boy, sit down. Sit down and rest."
And the boy did.
And the tree was happy.

It is by the 14th century Sufi Persian poet Hafiz.

the 14th century Sufi Persian poet Hafiz

It is by the 14th century Sufi Persian poet Hafiz.

i carry your heart with me by ee cummings

i carry your heart with me

i carry your heart with me (i carry it in my heart)

i am never without it (anywhere i go you go,my dear; and whatever is done by only me is your doing,my darling)

i fear no fate (for you are my fate,my sweet)

i want no world (for beautiful you are my world,my true) and it's you are whatever a moon has always meant and whatever a sun will always sing is you

here is the deepest secret nobody knows  

(here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud and the sky of the sky of a tree called life;which grows higher than the soul can hope or mind can hide)

and this is the wonder that's keeping the stars apart

i carry your heart (i carry it in my heart)

ee cummings

http://www.poemhunter.com/best-poems/ee-cummings/i-carry-your-heart-with-me-2/

"I am a child of God, in need of nothing but the memory that this is so."

By Marianne Williamson, 4/6/12, as her Facebook status:

You already have everything because you already are everything. Once you remember who you truly are, your world will begin to reflect the abundance that lies within you. Say these words to yourself often: "I am a child of God, in need of
nothing but the memory that this is so."

Make a loan for free & change lives; use this link; I've done it for yrs; very gratifying; it's a loan not a gift.

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I couldn't agree more

From Mental Health First Aid USA Facebook page:
""The reality is, for most mental illnesses, the etiology is unknown, prediction is poor, detection is late, diagnosis is by observation, prevention is not well developed, and treatment is trial and error." -Tom Insel, NIMH.


NIMH Framework Will Usher in New Era of Research

By: DIANA MAHONEY, Clinical Psychiatry News Digital Network

03/12/12
http://www.clinicalpsychiatrynews.com/newsletter/the-cognoscenti/singleview120314/nimh-framework-will-usher-in-new-era-of-research/71c2fcf80b.html

Ginny, photo taken 3_2012; born Aug. 5 2011

Ginny, photo taken 3_19_2012; born Aug. 5 2011

Lao Tzu

"The smallest act of kindness is worth more than the grandest intention." Oscar Wilde

Vincent D'Onofrio

kiva.org

If you have $25 to spare, it could accomplish great economic rewards for struggling entrepreneurs all over the world. It would be a loan, NOT a gift. You get your money back, in about a year, depending on the program. You don't earn interest. You get to enjoy helping others succeed in achieving basic needs to provide for their families. I have done this for many years, many loans, and every loan has been repaid to me. Technically, they can default. Anyway, plesase consider making a loan via kiva.org. (I don't get anything out of it if you use my invitation link; it will just indicate that a friend has tried kiva.) Thank you for considering this. Love to all.
http://kiva.org/invitedby/sophie6882

Imagine the most outrageously positive possibility for your life, claim it and consider it done. By Marianne Williamson

Healing with Art facebook 

Imagine the most outrageously positive possibility for your life, claim it and consider it done. By Marianne Williamson

It is better to be kind than to be right.

From the facebook page Bi-Polar!~365~24/7